In May 2019, Temple B’nai Sholom in Quincy, Ill., held its final service, closing its doors after more than 150 years. The once-thriving congregation, which had counted 500 Jewish residents at its peak, had dwindled to fewer than 30.
“We never had enough families move in to replace those that left,” said longtime congregant Carla Gordon to the Jewish Light in 2019. Like many small Jewish communities along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, Quincy’s Jewish history now risks fading into memory, as records, artifacts and personal stories scatter with time.
This is a narrative familiar to small towns across the region, such as Louisiana, Mo., where Jewish immigrants established a vibrant community in the 19th century.
As detailed in a Sept. 23 Jewish Light article, Jewish settlers in Louisiana thrived for decades, leaving behind lasting legacies like a secluded Jewish cemetery that still holds the graves of many of the town’s Jewish residents.
The Riverlands Jewish Archive
This is where the Riverlands Jewish Archive (RJA) comes in—a new, fully digital project dedicated to preserving the rich Jewish history of river towns like Quincy and ensuring that these legacies remain accessible for future generations. Spearheaded by Timothy R. Riggio Quevillon, the Jewish Heritage Fund visiting professor at Western Kentucky University, the archive seeks to gather and digitize materials from Jewish communities spanning from Cape Girardeau, Mo., to Terre Haute, Ind.
Unlike traditional archives housed in physical buildings, the RJA embraces a digital approach. It allows local communities to access their histories online while enabling individuals and families to retain their original materials.
“We’re hoping to create a digital space for scholars and communities alike,” Quevillon said. “What makes this project special is that it not only preserves the documents but ensures that families and local communities remain connected to their own history.”
Rediscovering forgotten communities
The RJA focuses on both large and small Jewish communities that have played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural identity of the region. Towns such as Cape Girardeau and Alton, Ill., are key areas of interest. While many of these communities have dwindled or disappeared over time, their stories remain vital to the region’s broader narrative.
“One of our greatest challenges is locating materials from communities that no longer exist,” Quevillon noted. “For example, we’re actively working to recover records from Cape Girardeau, Mo. and Alton, Ill. Fortunately, scholars across the region—from Missouri State, Southeast Missouri, and the Midwest Jewish Studies Association—are helping us trace where these valuable records might have ended up.”
Another small town that is a key focus for the RJA is Terre Haute, Ind. In collaboration with the Indiana Jewish Historical Society, the archive has acquired an extensive collection of documents chronicling more than 150 years of Jewish life in Terre Haute. These materials include synagogue records from Congregation Zion (1858–1889) and Temple Israel (1858–2000), cemetery records dating back to 1882, and personal papers from community members.
“We’re thrilled to preserve Terre Haute’s rich Jewish history,” Quevillon said. “This generous donation of records will be a key part of our initial launch this fall.”
Building connections across generations
Community engagement is central to the RJA’s mission. From Missouri to Southern Illinois and beyond, local leaders have played a vital role in uncovering forgotten resources and gathering oral histories from Jewish families. Organizations like the Southern Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky Federation (SiMoKy) have been instrumental in these efforts.
“Connecting with local rabbis, congregational leaders and Federation presidents in places like St. Louis has been critical to our success,” Quevillon said. “St. Louis, with its long history as a hub of Jewish life along the Mississippi, remains a focal point for us.”
The archive is also developing rotating digital exhibits, such as a project about Evansville, Ind., synagogues and a collection of Jewish newspaper ads from the High Holidays and Passover. These exhibits will offer new perspectives on the region’s Jewish heritage and contribute to a broader understanding of its historical significance.
Looking to the future
Set to launch on Nov. 1, the RJA will showcase an evolving collection of digitized resources, oral histories and curated exhibits. As the archive grows, it is actively seeking contributions from individuals and organizations who may have historical materials to share. Quevillon is also working closely with the Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum and the Brodsky Library in St. Louis to expand the archive’s reach.
For Quevillon, this project is deeply personal. A Kansas City native with strong ties to the Midwest, he sees the RJA as an opportunity to honor the region’s Jewish heritage and ensure its stories are preserved for generations to come.
“Having grown up with family scattered across the Midwest, I understand how important these small communities are,” he said. “This archive is our way of making sure their histories are not forgotten.”
As the RJA prepares for its official launch, it continues to seek contributions from across the region. Anyone with historical records, photographs or documents is encouraged to contact Quevillon directly to ensure their stories become part of this growing digital archive.
Do you have historical records, photographs, or stories to contribute to the Riverlands Jewish Archive? Reach out to Timothy Quevillon at [email protected], or visit the archive’s website at www.Riverlandsjewisharchive.org when it launches in November.
